Taanit

If he accepts the view of R. Judah b. Bathyra let him also agree with him [that one begins to make mention on the second day of the Feast]? — R. Akiba holds the view that the additional Libation occurs in the text1 on the sixth day. It has been taught: R. Nathan says, In the holy place shalt thou pour out a drink-offering of strong drink unto the Lord.2 Scripture [here] speaks of two Libations, the Libation of Water and the Libation of Wine.3 Perhaps both are of wine?- If it were so, he should have said, either hassek hassek or nasok nesek. What is the force [of the words] hassek nesek? — From this is to be inferred, that one points to the Libation of Water, and the other to the Libation of Wine.4 Who is the authority for that which we have learnt, The Libation of Water [is performed] throughout the seven days [of the Feast]? Is it R. Joshua? He would have stated on one day only!5 Is it R. Akiba? According to him it is performed on two days!6 Is it R. Judah b. Bathyra? According to him it is performed on six days?7 — I can still say, It is R. Judah b. Bathyra and he will hold the same opinion as R. Judah of the following Mishnah. For we have learnt: R. Judah says, A vessel of a log8 capacity was used for Libation throughout the eight days [of the Feast]; but he [R. Judah b. Bathyra] excludes the first day and includes the eighth day.9 Why does he exclude the first day? Is it because the [first of the] biblical allusions to water [is to be found] on the second day? Then the eighth day too should be excluded seeing that the last [of the] allusions to water is on the seventh day! — It must then be R. Joshua, and as for the Libation of Water being performed throughout the seven days [of the Feast] this is founded on a tradition;10 for R. Ami said in the name of R. Johanan, in the name of R. Nehunia a native11 of the Plain of Beth-Hawartan,12 the laws concerning the Ten Young Trees,13 the Willow of the Brook,14 and the Libation of Water are laws [communicated] to Moses from Sinai.15 ‘R. Judah in the name of R. Joshua says: The last to step before the Ark on the last day of the Feast makes mention [of rain], the first does not; on the first day of Passover the first makes mention, the last does not. Which R. Joshua? Is it R. Joshua of our Mishnah? Surely he said, ON THE LAST DAY OF THE FEAST ONE MAKES MENTION? Or, is it R. Joshua of the Baraitha? Surely he said: From the day that the Lulab is discarded? And further, when it is taught: R. Judah says in the name of Ben Bathyra: The last to step before the Ark on the last day of the Feast makes mention. Which Ben Bathyra [is meant]? Is it R. Judah b. Bathyra? Surely he said: On the second day of the Feast one makes mention? — R. Nathan bar Isaac replied: [In both passages cited] it is R. Joshua b. Bathyra. Sometimes he is called by his own name and some times he is referred to by his father's name; by the one before his ordination, and by the other after his ordination. It has been taught: The Sages did not make it obligatory on one to make mention of dew and winds, but if one desires to make mention he may do so. What is the reason? — R. Hanina said: Because they are never withheld. And how do we know that dew is never withheld? — For it is written, And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab: As the Lord the God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years but according to my word.16 And it is written further, Go, show thyself unto Ahab, and I will send rain upon the land.17 Of dew, however, Scripture does not speak. Why? [The question is not quite clear. Rashi did not seem to have this passage which is also omitted by MS.M.] in so far that he holds that the rite began only with the second day, so that it lasted only seven days.] reading all authorities agree that the rite is performed for seven days, the difference between them being only as to where the allusion is to be found, v. D.S. a.l.] cycle; but where ten saplings are spread over an area of fifty square cubits they may be cultivated right until the end of the sixth year. V. Sheb. 1, 6. Judaism I, 256.